Letter: Keep Sno-Isle Libraries going strong

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Editor,

Imagine life on Whidbey with our five community libraries scaled down to the bones. No homework help, fewer movies and music to stream, no job-search help, reduced baby and toddler storytimes … and far fewer books, audiobooks, ebooks and magazines.

The passage of Sno-Isle Libraries Proposition 1 on the Aug. 4 ballot will restore Sno-Isle’s levy rate to 0.47, the same rate the voters approved in 2018. The failure of the levy restoration vote will cause significant cuts to staffing levels, library hours, the purchase of both physical and digital materials – and the many programs offered by the libraries.

Sno-Isle relies on property taxes for 91% of its expenses. The levy rate established in 2018 has decreased each year due to the legally required 1% cap on increases in the district’s annual budget. Salaries, health care and the cost of materials for customers have increased far more than 1% annually since 2018.

Sno-Isle needs your “yes” vote on Aug. 4 to restore its levy rate! A “yes” vote for Llibraries will allow Sno-Isle to maintain the level of service customers expect. It will allow the continuation of our libraries’ early literacy programs, which give kids a leg-up when they enter first grade. These programs alone are worth voting yes, as they save taxpayers $7-10 for every dollar spent on getting kids ready and interested in reading – savings due to the successful completion of high school.

Marti Anamosa

Edmonds